Ranking Member Lee, Subcommittee Democrats Demand Equal Participation in Law Enforcement Roundtable Hosted by Subcommittee Republicans

Washington, D.C. (May 13, 2025)— Today, Rep. Summer Lee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, led Subcommittee Democrats in sending a letter to Subcommittee Chairman Clay Higgins requesting information on the roundtable discussion being hosted by Subcommittee Republicans concerning emerging issues facing American law enforcement, an event Republicans have falsely labeled as “bipartisan.”  Despite Republican efforts to market this event as bipartisan, Subcommittee Democrats have received no information regarding the scope of the roundtable, no written testimonies or biographies for witnesses, little clarity into how Members will be permitted to participate in the roundtable, and have been denied the right to invite their own witness.  The decision to hold a roundtable instead of a hearing exposes Subcommittee Republicans’ intention to bend House rules to exclude Democrats from important discussions. 

“By opting to convene this discussion as a roundtable and not a hearing, the Subcommittee is sidestepping House Rules that establish clear structure, expectations, and standards for Member participation and conduct. Abandoning these long-held norms undermines regular order and suggests that the Majority is attempting to sideline Democratic Members’ ability to meaningfully engage with this subject—contradicting your claims that this roundtable is a bipartisan endeavor,” wrote the Members. 

In the letter, Members noted the importance of the issue and their disappointment with not being allowed to bring forth a minority witness, stating that “we were extremely disappointed that we were not afforded that opportunity to invite a witness for this roundtable.  This is a disservice to the topic at hand as we could have expanded the viewpoints and experiences being discussed[.]”

Subcommittee Democratic members also noted in their letter that they are committed to regular Committee order that allows fair and meaningful bipartisan engagement. 

“Subcommittee Democrats remain willing to engage in a bipartisan process, including with the noticed panelists, that follows regular order so that this critical topic—and all others within the jurisdiction of this subcommittee—may receive the comprehensive oversight it warrants.  Moving forward, we urge the Subcommittee to convene proper hearings on the emerging issues facing federal and local law enforcement, an especially timely and pressing subject as the Trump Administration and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are actively undermining core public safety programs and terminating grants that directly support local law enforcement, prevent gun violence, reduce recidivism, and serve victims and survivors.”

Click here to read the letter to Subcommittee Chairman Clay Higgins.